Pittsburgh Penguins president Marcel Braithewaite: Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Penguins Marcel Braithwaite is an experienced and successful sports executive who has served as senior vice president of the Houston Astros for the past 14 years. Now, he is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ new President of Business Operations.
The team’s new owners, the Hoffmann Family of Companies, announced Braithwaite’s hiring Monday. He led the Astros through multiple ballpark renovations and helped optimize the fan experience.
Braithwaite also directed the development and operations of the Astros Spring Training complex, serving public and private stakeholders. “It’s an honor to join the Penguins at such an exciting time under new ownership,” said Braithwaite.
“I am grateful to the Astros and look forward to serving the employees, fans and city of Pittsburgh by bringing a winning culture to this franchise alongside Geoff, Kyle and the rest of this talented Front Office.” The move represents the Hoffmann’s first major hiring and second significant change since taking over in June.
The group also changed the team’s ECHL affiliate to the Florida Everblades, which FoC chairman David Hoffmann owns. “I am very happy to welcome Marcel to this iconic franchise,” said Geoff Hoffmann, Chairman and Team Governor.
“He’s a results-driven executive who has led through a variety of projects from fan engagement to real estate development. Marcel will be joining a talented, dedicated, and hard-working team across the Penguins and PPG Paints Arena, and I am confident he will help us reach new heights as an organization.” Braithewaite is from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and is fluent in Dutch and has lived in several cities across North America and Europe, including Seattle and Southern California, before moving to the Houston area with the Astros.
He and his wife will relocate to the Pittsburgh area near the start of the 2026-27 season.
